Key Takeaways
- • Criteria, the investment arm of Fundación "la Caixa," has established Criteria PE Management SGEIC, a new private equity and venture capital management company based in Madrid with €1 million in share capital, pending CNMV authorization.
- • The subsidiary will pursue a diversified investment strategy across Spain, Europe, and North America, targeting unlisted companies with strong growth potential, early-stage technology and biotechnology firms, and longer-term liquidity horizons through both domestic and international fund managers.
- • Criteria will serve as an anchor investor in Scaleup Europe, the European Commission's €5 billion fund (expandable to €25 billion with European Investment Bank support) focused on strategic and technology companies across Europe, with first investments expected in spring 2026.
- • Felipe Matías Caviedes, Criteria's Chief Investment Officer since 2012, will chair the new management company, supported by CFO Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez Barceló and Director of Internal Resources Raquel Torrents Pujol; operations will be overseen by the alternative investments team in Barcelona.
- • The launch aligns with Criteria's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan and builds on its existing venture capital activity through Caixa Capital Risc, extending the group's alternative investment capabilities into formalized private equity management.
Summary
Criteria, the investment arm of Fundación "la Caixa," has formally launched Criteria PE Management SGEIC, a dedicated private equity and venture capital management company, as part of its 2025–2030 Strategic Plan. The new entity, headquartered in Madrid with €1 million in share capital, is currently awaiting authorization from Spain's National Securities Market Commission (CNMV). The move formalizes Criteria's expansion into structured private equity management following years of venture capital activity through its existing subsidiary, Caixa Capital Risc.
The management company's leadership structure reflects deep institutional experience. Felipe Matías Caviedes, who has served as Criteria's Chief Investment Officer since 2012, will chair the board. The board will also include Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez Barceló, the group's Chief Financial Officer, and Raquel Torrents Pujol, Director of Internal Resources and Control. Although based in Madrid, the company will be operationally overseen by Criteria's alternative investments team based in Barcelona, integrating the new entity into the existing organizational structure.
Criteria PE Management SGEIC will pursue a broad investment strategy encompassing third-party private equity and venture capital funds across Spain, Europe, and North America. The strategy targets a diversified portfolio including stakes in unlisted companies with strong growth potential and extended liquidity horizons, as well as direct and indirect investments in early-stage companies, particularly in technology and biotechnology sectors. This approach complements and expands upon the venture capital work already conducted by Caixa Capital Risc.
Among its first major commitments, Criteria will serve as an anchor investor in Scaleup Europe, the European Commission's strategic fund. Scaleup Europe aims to raise €5 billion in its initial phase, with potential expansion to €25 billion through support from the European Investment Bank. The fund is designed to invest in strategic and technology companies across the European continent and is scheduled to begin first investments in spring 2026. This participation positions Criteria as a cornerstone supporter of the EU's effort to strengthen European capacity in high-growth technology sectors including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and autonomous systems.
The management company's leadership structure reflects deep institutional experience. Felipe Matías Caviedes, who has served as Criteria's Chief Investment Officer since 2012, will chair the board. The board will also include Miguel Ángel Gutiérrez Barceló, the group's Chief Financial Officer, and Raquel Torrents Pujol, Director of Internal Resources and Control. Although based in Madrid, the company will be operationally overseen by Criteria's alternative investments team based in Barcelona, integrating the new entity into the existing organizational structure.
Criteria PE Management SGEIC will pursue a broad investment strategy encompassing third-party private equity and venture capital funds across Spain, Europe, and North America. The strategy targets a diversified portfolio including stakes in unlisted companies with strong growth potential and extended liquidity horizons, as well as direct and indirect investments in early-stage companies, particularly in technology and biotechnology sectors. This approach complements and expands upon the venture capital work already conducted by Caixa Capital Risc.
Among its first major commitments, Criteria will serve as an anchor investor in Scaleup Europe, the European Commission's strategic fund. Scaleup Europe aims to raise €5 billion in its initial phase, with potential expansion to €25 billion through support from the European Investment Bank. The fund is designed to invest in strategic and technology companies across the European continent and is scheduled to begin first investments in spring 2026. This participation positions Criteria as a cornerstone supporter of the EU's effort to strengthen European capacity in high-growth technology sectors including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, semiconductors, and autonomous systems.
Go deeper than the headline
Research every firm in this story, track the ones that matter and get the daily briefing — free for 7 days.